Mayor Picks Urban Planner, Architect to Head Landmarks Commission

The Mayor plans to nominate an urban planner to head the Landmarks Preservation Commission, a move that is seen as friendly to developers and the mayor’s pro-development agenda, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal. Architect Meenakshi Srinivasan has been chairwoman of the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals for about a decade, where she oversaw a department that grants exemptions in zoning.

Under her watch, the agency ruled to allow the oversize building at 1882 East 12th Street in Homecrest to stand. (The Department of Buildings subsequently ordered it torn down, and the architect is no longer permitted to self-certify.) Srinivasan, who is from India, also worked at the Department of City Planning for 14 years.

The Real Estate Board of New York, an industry association that has blamed landmarking for high real estate costs in New York City, said it was pleased with de Blasio’s choice. REBNY President Steven Spinola also said the landmarking process “has no structure” and “lacks transparency,” the Journal said.

The nomination will be announced today. It is not a done deal but requires approval from the City Council.